2late4u Posted December 24, 2019 Report Share Posted December 24, 2019 The 2019 Toyota RAV4 Hybrid could have a fuel tank issue that prevents owners from completely filling it up, according to a report from Automotive News. Toyota has issued a statement to confirm it is “investigating a fuel tank shape issue on certain RAV4 Hybrid vehicles. In these cases, variations in fuel tank shape may prevent a full refill by up to several gallons. This condition may impact the vehicle's total available driving distance. As a best practice, customers should refuel before or when the low fuel light illuminates, to prevent running out of fuel." Automotive News cites multiple sources of complaints from owners about the issue, with most of them stating that the vehicle won’t take much more than 9-11 gallons into its 14.5-gallon fuel tank. This greatly reduces the overall range you get with a full tank, which is one of the big benefits of the Hybrid model. It’s rated for 580 miles on a full tank of gas, thanks to its 40 mpg combined fuel economy rating. However, even if the tank won’t fill all the way, the RAV4 Hybrid has reasonable range — filled with nine gallons, it could theoretically go 360 miles. As for why the tank won’t fill, Toyota just hints at a potential shape issue. Automotive News points out that Toyota changed its fuel tank design when it redesigned the RAV4 Hybrid. It went from a “Native American papoose” shape to a “latitudinal, saddle-shaped design,” as shown by parts diagrams and described by AN. Toyota is investigating, so we’ll hopefully get a full explanation soon. There’s also no word on how widespread the issue is beyond Toyota saying it’s affecting “certain RAV4 Hybrid vehicles.” Toyota has sold 82,398 RAV4 Hybrids so far in 2019, according to company sales reports. With that many vehicles out there, the complaints should be rolling in if a significant number of vehicles built are suffering from the potential issue. Let us know in the comments if your 2019 RAV4 Hybrid won’t fill to a full tank at the pump. Like we mentioned before, the vehicle has a 14.5-gallon fuel tank. Summer Solstice and km-04 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtomatoman Posted December 24, 2019 Report Share Posted December 24, 2019 Not sure why you posted this, exactly. My DJ will often stop short of full by about a gallon. The fuel gauge on my DJ is not affected in my experience. If I really want a full tank, I just fill the last gallon with very slow flow from the pump. Usually I just leave it at the shutoff point and keep moving. Minor problem that doesn't really bother me... Peace. 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Summer Solstice Posted December 24, 2019 Report Share Posted December 24, 2019 I appreciate the post as it illustrates a possible explanation to what many Journey owners complain of. It is more a point of curiosity than an actual proven fact. I have come to live with the fact, as many Journey owners have, that the gauge will often be just short of full. Rarely, but sometimes, the needle will be solidly beyond full. Air pocket? Maybe and it is my best guess. As for range, my Journey starts absolutely crying for a fill up when it reads empty, yet only takes 16 - 17 gallons to fill. I can drive 100 miles, with the light on, and still not take 17 gallons. It is a minor issue outweighed by a great experience otherwise but it will always be a curiosity. 2late4u 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armando G Posted December 24, 2019 Report Share Posted December 24, 2019 You mean the Journey isn't the only car with a problem... go figure 2late4u and Summer Solstice 1 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted December 24, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 24, 2019 (edited) 6 hours ago, redtomatoman said: Not sure why you posted this, exactly. My DJ will often stop short of full by about a gallon. The fuel gauge on my DJ is not affected in my experience. If I really want a full tank, I just fill the last gallon with very slow flow from the pump. Usually I just leave it at the shutoff point and keep moving. Minor problem that doesn't really bother me... Peace. so maybe others will understand its not just a dodge problem as well a lot of posters come on here saying bad things about their journeys as if the other brands of auto never have problems ,just thought it might interest some one Edited December 24, 2019 by 2late4u Armando G, Summer Solstice, km-04 and 3 others 1 5 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
redtomatoman Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 Ok. Figured... That's why I included the word "exactly" and described my DJ's behavior. This filling issue is one that I've learned to live with. Peace. jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
2late4u Posted December 27, 2019 Author Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 1 hour ago, redtomatoman said: Ok. Figured... That's why I included the word "exactly" and described my DJ's behavior. This filling issue is one that I've learned to live with. Peace. my 2014 has had this problem although not very bad, like you i just dont worry about it as well jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probak118 Posted December 27, 2019 Report Share Posted December 27, 2019 It is funny that with an average fill my distance to empty is generally around 560 kms but when you force more in into it or are on the right angle during a fill, I see near or just above 700 kms . There must be close to 2+ gallons of empty tank in most cases. In the end, we all like you say just accept it. jkeaton and 2late4u 2 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
probak118 Posted January 15, 2020 Report Share Posted January 15, 2020 On 12/27/2019 at 9:06 AM, probak118 said: It is funny that with an average fill my distance to empty is generally around 560 kms but when you force more in into it or are on the right angle during a fill, I see near or just above 700 kms . There must be close to 2 gallons of empty tank in most cases. In the end, we all like you say just accept it. Sorry everyone, meant to be 600 kms / tank not 700 kms jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Armando G Posted January 17, 2020 Report Share Posted January 17, 2020 On 1/15/2020 at 3:00 AM, probak118 said: Sorry everyone, meant to be 600 kms / tank not 700 kms I was thinking you drive downhill to work - in both directions to get that gas mileage jkeaton 1 Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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